Xifengite is a rare iron silicide mineral first discovered in kimberlite pipes in China. It typically occurs as microscopic irregular grains with a metallic luster, often found associated with other rare native metal and silicide phases in heavy mineral concentrates.
Is this xifengite?
5-step field checkRun through these checks against the specimen in your hand. The more boxes tick, the more confident the ID.
- 1Test the hardnessTry to scratch xifengite with a known reference. Xifengite sits at Mohs 5.5, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Streak: black.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Luster: metallic.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: steel gray.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: hexagonal. Typical habit: inclusions.
Often confused with
Xifengite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
Often found alongside xifengite
Minerals reported to co-occur with xifengite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- Fe₅Si₃
- Mohs hardness
- 5.5
- Density
- 6.45 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- Black
- Luster
- Metallic
- Transparency
- Opaque
- Crystal system
- Hexagonal
- Crystal habit
- Inclusions
- Cleavage
- None
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Innermost in spheres, surrounded by nickel-iron minerals and their oxidation products, apparently of extraterrestrial origin, found in placers
Where rockhounds find xifengite
Classic worldwide localities
- Yanshan Mountains, Hebei Province, China
Field-hunting tip
Where it forms: Innermost in spheres, surrounded by nickel-iron minerals and their oxidation products, apparently of extraterrestrial origin, found in placers. If you start seeing gupeiite, kamacite, taenite in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: inclusions. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify xifengite?+
Where is xifengite found?+
What rocks look like xifengite?+
What minerals are found with xifengite?+
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Find xifengite on the map
RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.
